Review of Dr. Death Takes a Holiday

Having examined the evidence surrounding Merlyn Temple's death, Dr Crower is convinced that the official version is a lie. Sheriff Buck of course has an answer for everything; the doctor may have his suspicions but proving them is another matter. Shortly afterwards Dr Crower prevents a woman from shooting Lucas. She is taken to hospital where it emerges that she has a brain tumour. She also says that she wanted to kill Lucas because he is evil and that she should know because she is his mother! As the episode progresses she tries to persuade Dr Crower that killing Buck would be like killing Hitler before his rise to power; the more he dwells on the nature of evil the more he is inclined to agree. Meanwhile Buck has had enough of the Doctor and attempts to pressure a local judge to have him declared mentally unfit. The judge resists but Lucas knows just how to apply pressure. While all this is going on Selena is taking an interest in Dr Billy Peale… something that Lucas isn't happy about.

This was a delightfully dark episode that showed just how manipulative people can be; obviously there is Buck manipulating the judge and his wife but there is also Buck's 'mother' who we see manipulating Dr Crower to try to make him kill Lucas… an action that will ultimately put the doctor somewhere he is unlikely to return from. The story has a good twist near the end and a suitably downbeat conclusion. The cast does a fine job; Gary Cole is great as always as the evil Sheriff Buck and Jake Weber really impressed as Dr Crower; if it is indeed his last episode I will miss his character. Guest start Veronica Cartwright also impressed as Lucas's 'mother'. Overall an impressive instalment.